Gender differences in dream perception

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gender and dream perception so as to provide a basis for a better understanding of the differences between the unconscious minds of men and women. Two focus groups were conducted; one consisting of three men and the other consisting of three women. Thematic analysis was then used to analyse the data collected from these focus groups. Ten themes were identified; Perceptions of Dreams As, You Have to Crawl Before You Can Fly, The Bar is Set Too High, F is for Friends and Family, The Cold Hand of the Reaper, Love, Sex and...Incest?, The Devil is in the Details, The Dark Recesses of the Mind, Raising Your Voice; Raising Your Fists, and Thou Shalt Dream of Religion. While some of the themes which emerged were common to both genders, and others were common to women only, no themes common only to men emerged. The results indicated that while gender differences still persist in dream perception, such differences may be narrowing.